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Machu Picchu
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Cusco, Peru • South America

Machu Picchu

The lost city of the Incas - a stone citadel wrapped in cloud forest high in the Andes, gateway to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

#Inca Ruins#Mountains#Hiking#History#AndesCouplesSolo TravelAdventureCulturePhotography
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

The dry season from May to September offers the clearest skies and best trekking, and is the most popular and busiest time (the Inca Trail closes for maintenance in February). April and October are pleasant shoulder months. The wet season, November to March, is green and quiet but brings frequent afternoon rain and cloud.

Daily budget
$150
Time zone
GMT-5 (PET)
Language
Spanish (Quechua widely spoken)
Currency
PEN (Peruvian Sol (PEN))
Emergency
105 / 106
Power
Type A & C · 220V

About Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the journey of a lifetime made real: an entire Inca city of terraces, temples and plazas built from precision-cut stone, perched on a saddle between green Andean peaks 2,430 metres above the sea. Abandoned and overgrown for centuries, then revealed to the world in 1911, it remains one of the most breathtaking sights on earth, especially when the morning mist parts to reveal it whole. But the region is so much more than its famous citadel. The journey begins in Cusco, the elegant former Inca capital with its colonial squares built on ancient stone foundations, and winds through the Sacred Valley, where Andean villages, hilltop fortresses and terraced ruins line a fertile river valley. Whether you arrive by scenic train or by trekking the legendary Inca Trail, the build-up is part of the magic. This is high-altitude travel, so allow time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to acclimatize. The dry season from May to September brings the clearest skies; book your timed Machu Picchu entry and train well in advance, and take the mountains slowly.

Photo Gallery

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Things to Do in Machu Picchu

7
Machu Picchu CitadelHistorical

Machu Picchu Citadel

The crown jewel of the Inca world, a complete 15th-century stone city of temples, terraces and plazas wrapped in Andean cloud forest. Timed ticket required.

2-4 hours Timed entry from USD 504.9(400,000)
Sacred ValleyHistorical

Sacred Valley

A fertile Andean valley of Inca terraces, fortresses and living villages, including the great ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

Full day Boleto Turistico approx USD 404.8(120,000)
SacsayhuamanHistorical

Sacsayhuaman

A monumental Inca fortress above Cusco, built from enormous interlocking stones that still baffle engineers, with sweeping views over the city.

1.5-2 hours Boleto Turistico4.7(80,000)
Rainbow MountainNature

Rainbow Mountain

The striped, mineral-coloured slopes of Vinicunca at over 5,000 metres, a strenuous but spectacular high-altitude day hike from Cusco.

Full day Tour from USD 354.5(90,000)
Cusco Plaza de ArmasCulture

Cusco Plaza de Armas

The beautiful colonial heart of the former Inca capital, ringed by arcades, the cathedral and Inca walls - a UNESCO World Heritage centre.

1-2 hours Free (cathedral entry extra)4.7(110,000)
OllantaytamboHistorical

Ollantaytambo

A living Inca town and dramatic terraced fortress guarding the Sacred Valley, and the main gateway station for trains to Machu Picchu.

2 hours Boleto Turistico4.7(70,000)
Maras Salt Pans & MorayNature

Maras Salt Pans & Moray

Thousands of dazzling white salt terraces cascading down a hillside, paired with the mysterious concentric agricultural terraces of Moray.

Half day Approx USD 5 each4.6(45,000)

Where to Eat in Machu Picchu

5
Cicciolina

Cicciolina

Andean / Mediterranean $$$4.7(20,000)

A beloved candlelit Cusco institution blending Andean ingredients with Mediterranean flair, plus a buzzing tapas bar.

Green Point

Green Point

Vegan / Vegetarian $$4.7(16,000)

A hugely popular plant-based restaurant with a great-value set lunch, fresh juices and creative vegan Peruvian dishes.

Chicha por Gaston Acurio

Chicha por Gaston Acurio

Peruvian / Novoandina $$$4.6(18,000)

Celebrity chef Gaston Acurio's elegant take on regional Cusco cuisine, from alpaca to ceviche, overlooking a colonial square.

Pachapapa

Pachapapa

Andean / Traditional $$4.5(14,000)

A characterful courtyard restaurant in San Blas for traditional Andean dishes cooked in a clay oven, including cuy and lamb.

San Pedro Market

San Pedro Market

Peruvian / Street Food $4.4(22,000)

Cusco's bustling central market, the place for cheap, hearty caldo soups, fresh juices and a taste of everyday Andean life.

Where to Stay in Machu Picchu

5
Belmond Hotel Monasterio

Belmond Hotel Monasterio

Luxury $$$$4.8(5,000)

A sumptuous luxury hotel in a 1592 monastery beside Cusco's cathedral, with oxygen-enriched rooms to ease the altitude.

Inkaterra La Casona

Inkaterra La Casona

Boutique $$$$4.8(2,800)

An intimate, all-suite boutique hotel in a restored colonial manor on a quiet plaza, full of art, patios and warmth.

Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza

Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza

Mid-Range $$4.6(4,000)

A comfortable, reliable mid-range hotel steps from the main square, with warm rooms, good breakfast and helpful staff.

Hotel Rumi Punku

Hotel Rumi Punku

Guesthouse $$4.6(2,200)

A charming family-run guesthouse entered through a genuine Inca stone doorway, with cosy rooms and a little spa.

Pariwana Hostel Cusco

Pariwana Hostel Cusco

Hostel $4.4(6,000)

A lively, well-run hostel just off the Plaza de Armas with a sunny courtyard, bar and tours - a top budget base in Cusco.

Machu Picchu Itineraries

1
5-day trip

Classic 5 Days: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

moderate USD 800 - 1,400

A well-paced route that acclimatizes in Cusco, explores the Sacred Valley, reaches Machu Picchu by train, and ends with a high-altitude adventure.

View day-by-day plan

Machu Picchu Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$600 - $1,400$600 - $1,400$600 - $1,400
Accommodation$20/night$80/night$350/night
Food$15/day$35/day-
Activities$60/day$60/day$60/day
Local Transport$8/day$8/day$8/day
Daily Average$60$150$450

Local currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)

Machu Picchu Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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